Slip-resistant medical grip glove

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an improved medical or surgical glove. The glove may be constructed from any of a selection of resiliently flexible materials. The glove is of the type having four finger enclosures and four fingertips, a thumb enclosure and thumbtip, a hand portion with a palm surface and a backhand surface, and a wrist portion having an opening through which a user&#39;s hand is inserted. The disclosed glove features a variety of patterns of raised and/or textured sections on the exterior surface of the glove to provide enhanced gripping capability to a wearer. The medical or surgical glove may also be sterilized and may be color-coded to identify the specific material of which a glove is fabricated.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication 61/273,828 filed on Aug. 10, 2009, and said provisionalapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

There is no federally sponsored research or development in connectionwith this inventive concept.

NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

There is no joint research agreement applicable to this inventiveconcept.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention, among other uses and applications, primarilyrelates to an improved medical or surgical glove of the type utilized bymedical professionals.

(2) Description of the Prior Art

A wide and all-encompassing variety of gloves with enhanced exteriorgripping surfaces have been designed and used over the past century. Thefollowing information describes patents and/or publications which arerelated to the Applicant's inventive concept.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,038,787 (1977) discloses a glove having a flexible bodywith a plurality of discrete abrading units disposed on the glove topermit free flexing of the finger stalls, the thumb and palm. Theabrading units comprise a plurality of hard and sharp particles such assilicon carbide dispersed in an adhesive. The abrading units are fixedlyconnected to the glove surface by a waterproof adhesive.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,218,778 (1980) designed a highly stretchable surgicalglove which discloses an oval structure from front-to-back at the midjoint area of the wearer's fingers, and a side-to-side ovaling of theglove portion near the mid point of the wearer's fingernail. Thereby itis claimed that the glove has added flexibility and tactile sensitivityat the tip section of the glove's fingers.

The inventor of U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,444 shows an improved surgical glovethat contains a smooth latex skin coated onto the front surface of theglove so that surgical tape will not stick thereto. A textured contouredflap is pivotably secured to tips of the finger portions of the glovewhile another textured contoured flap is pivotably secured to the tip ofthe thumb portion of the glove so that the wearer can increase theirgrip to hold various items.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,341 discloses single and two-sided hand and fingerthimbles constructed to mount over the fingertips to provide non-slipgripping surfaces and improved protection at the fingertips and palm.Several thimbles include surfaces that contain impenetrable shields,elastomer pads, or raised patterns of a coated elastomer.

US patent application publication 2008/0235850 features a “handcovering” comprising a gripping region of mesh material having a firstpermeability and a first coefficient of friction. Regions of the handcovered by other than the gripping region are covered by a differentmaterial having a second coefficient of friction lower than the firstand a second permeability lower than the first permeability.

US publication 2010/0011484 discloses knit fabric gloves havinggrip/protective members, and also describes a process of manufacturingsame. One embodiment comprises depositing an adhesive onto a backside ofa sheet of grip/protective material, and fusing the adhesive to thebackside of the sheet of grip/protective material using a heat/pressureprocedure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, among other uses and applications, relates to animproved medical or surgical glove which features a variety of means ofplacing enhanced gripping textures and surfaces on the exterior of theglove. These textures and surfaces may be placed in a variety oflocations upon the exterior surface of the glove. The reader is advisedthat, for the sake of convenience and clarity, the descriptions andoperation of the inventive concept is frequently referred to in terms ofa “glove” for medical and/or dental purposes. However, the inventiveconcept is also suitable for non-medical purposes, particularly where itis necessary to securely grip objects common to a specific trade oroccupation. Therefore, the descriptions rendered herein are notconsidered to be restrictive or limiting of the operation of the gloveas described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A more thorough understanding of the present inventive concept and itsdesign features system may be had by reference to the drawings herein,of which a brief summation of each drawing follows:

FIG. 1 is a view of the glove with a wave pattern on the glove innerfingertips and thumbtip.

FIG. 2 shows a glove with a pattern of raised bubble tips on the innerfingertips and the thumbtip.

FIG. 3 illustrates a glove with a cross-sectional stripe patterncovering the inner finger enclosures, the thumb and the palm.

FIG. 4 shows a medical glove with a grip pattern consisting of abulls-eye palm pattern, with textured lines extending outwardly onto thefinger and thumb enclosures.

FIG. 5 presents a glove with a grip pattern of raised cross-stitching oneach fingertip and the thumbtip, further continuing along an inseam ofthe thumb enclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a glove with a concentrically-expanding swirlpattern, emanating from the palm of the glove having with rings coveringportions of the finger and thumb enclosures.

FIG. 7 presents a glove with a pattern of parallel, symmetrically-spacedlateral line raised segments placed on the palm, finger enclosures, andthumb enclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts a zig-zag stitch pattern of grip surfaces oriented alongthe length of the finger and thumb enclosures, including one zigzagstitch pattern on the palm of the glove.

NUMERICAL INDEX TO NOMENCLATURE OF THE INVENTION

-   1. Glove-   2. Finger enclosure (4)-   3. Thumb enclosure-   4. Palm-   5. Fingertip (4)-   6. Thumbtip-   7. Inner fingertip-   8. Wrist portion-   9. Removal tab-   10. Wave pattern-   11. Bubble tips pattern-   12. Cross-sectional stripe pattern-   13. Bulls-eye palm pattern-   14. Cross-stitches pattern-   15. Swirl pattern-   16. Lateral line pattern-   17. Zigzag stitch pattern

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the sake of convenience and quick reference, the medical or surgicalglove 1 disclosed in the inventive concept herein will be referred to asthe “glove.” The purpose of the glove 1 is to provide a variety ofgloves with a plurality of raised and/or textured sections on theexterior surface of the glove 1. The raised and/or textured sections areintended to enhance the grip of medical and dental professionals orother persons needing such sure-handedness when wearing the glove 1. Inthe process of fabricating the gloves 1 disclosed herein, the enhancedgripping sections may be manufactured by either placing and additionalthickness of the material in the enhanced gripping sections, or byraising the gripping sections minimally above the generally smoothsurface of the surrounding area of the glove 1 material. Forillustrative purposes, the embodiments in this document are all shown asright-handed gloves, however the gloves are fabricated in pairs in orderto provide the same grip enhancements for either a user's right hand orleft hand.

In the medical or dental professions, most surgical gloves are made oflatex, nitrile, or vinyl in order to assist in maintaining a barrier ofprotection between the patient and the professional. Nitrile and vinylgloves are used by persons or, in situations where the patient may havean allergy to latex. All gloves disclosed in this document are made ofmaterials which meet health protection and OSHA (United StatesOccupational Safety and Health Administration) guidelines for suitablematerials used in a sterile environment.

The gloves 1 disclosed herein are for one-time use, and are fabricatedso as to provide resistance to tears and punctures. Latex gloves aremade of natural rubber, and are normally the preferred embodiment forthis inventive concept. Nitrile gloves are made of synthetic latex andcontain no latex proteins, of which some persons are allergic to. Vinylis a leather substitute, primarily formulated with chlorine andethylene, a type of plastic. Vinyl gloves are used as a latex-freesubstitute and are better suited to withstand chemicals and other matterencountered in industrial environments.

As we first refer to FIG. 1, there is shown a view of the medical glove1 with a wave pattern 10 on the glove 1 inner fingertips 7 and thethumbtip 6. The enhanced grip pattern and locations on this glove 1 areintended to provide the greatest effectiveness for those persons whorequire a sure grip at their fingertips, particularly surgeons anddental professionals.

FIG. 2 presents a glove 1 with a pattern of raised bubble tips on theinner fingertips 7 and the thumbtip 6. The enhanced grip pattern andlocations on this glove 1 are intended to provide a reliable and sturdygrip at the user's fingertips, particularly where the workingenvironment involves contact with body fluids or other liquids.

The illustration of the glove 1 in FIG. 3 shows a glove 1 with across-sectional stripe 12 pattern encompassing the entirety of the innersurface of the glove 1, including the fingertips 5, the fingerenclosures 2, thumb enclosure 3, the palm 4, and the wrist 8 portion.This glove 1 is especially designed for those users who frequentlyrequire whole-handed gripping maneuvers in their profession. Theillustrated glove 1 also includes a removal tab 9 to facilitate peelingthe glove 1 off the user's hand when finished with their task.

In FIG. 4 is observed a glove 1 with a grip pattern consisting of abulls-eye palm pattern 13, with five spokes of raised, textured materialextending from the outermost circles of the bulls-eye 13 along thelengths of the finger enclosures 2, and the thumb enclosure 3.

FIG. 5 presents minimally-sized cross-stitch patterns 14 formingenhanced grip areas on the each fingertips 5 and the thumbtip 6 of aglove 1, further continuing along an inseam of the thumb enclosure 3 andcontinuing on the intersection of the thumb enclosure 3 and the wrist 8portion of the glove 1.

Viewing the glove 1 shown in FIG. 6, there is illustrated a glove 1 witha raised gripping surface in the form of a concentrically-expandingswirl pattern 15, emanating from the palm 4 of the glove 1 and further,having arcs of the raised, textured material covering portions of thefinger enclosures 2 and the thumb enclosure 3. The glove 1 shown isuseful for all-around grip security, giving extensive enhanced grippingcapability throughout a substantial of the useful surface of the glove1.

FIG. 7 shows a glove 1 with a grouping of parallel, symmetrically-spacedlateral line patterns 16 of raised and/or textured segments placed onthe palm 4, finger enclosures 2, and thumb enclosure. The glove 1 inFIG. 7 further includes a removal tab 9 to facilitate peeling the glove1 off the user's hand when finished with their task.

FIG. 8 depicts a zigzag stitch pattern 17 of raised grip surfacesoriented along the length of each finger enclosure 2 and the thumbenclosure 3, and further including one raised zigzag stitch pattern 17placed onto the palm 4 of the glove 1.

It is recognized that one knowledgeable in this field of endeavor, andskilled in the art, has the capability to design or produce similar, orother embodiments of this inventive concept. However all suchvariations, alterations, or modifications are entirely conceivable asbeing within the intent and scope of the present inventive concept.

1. An improved medical or surgical glove being fabricated from any of aselection of resiliently flexible materials of varying thicknesses, andsaid glove of the type having four finger enclosures including fourfingertip portions, a thumb enclosure including a thumbtip portion, ahand portion having a palm surface and a backhand surface, and a wristportion having a proximal end joining the hand portion and having adistal end comprising an expandable opening through which the hand of aperson may be inserted, wherein the improvement comprises: (a) a patternof raised, textured material of the same type material as the glove,fabricated at particular locations on the exterior surface of saidglove; and (b) a removal tab affixed to the wrist portion of said glove.2. A medical or surgical glove according to claim 1, wherein saidpattern of raised, textured material comprises a wave pattern, said wavepattern located at each of the four fingertip portions and at thethumbtip portion of said glove.
 3. A medical or surgical glove accordingto claim 1, wherein said pattern of raised, textured material comprisesa bubble tips pattern, said bubble tips pattern located at each of thefour fingertip portions and at the thumbtip portion of said glove.
 4. Amedical or surgical glove according to claim 1, wherein said pattern ofraised, textured material comprises a cross-sectional stripe patternwherein said cross-sectional stripe pattern further comprises parallellines of raised glove material running approximately diagonally to thefinger enclosures, the thumb enclosure, and the palm portion, andfurther, encompassing the entirety of the inner surface of said glove.5. A medical or surgical glove according to claim 1, wherein saidpattern of raised, textured material comprises a bulls-eye palm pattern,wherein said bulls-eye palm pattern comprises a plurality of concentriccircles centered on the palm surface of said glove and further, havingfive emanating radials of raised, textured material extending from theoutermost of said concentric circles to (a) each of the four fingertipsand (b) the thumbtip of said glove, respectively.
 6. A medical orsurgical glove according to claim 1, wherein said pattern of raised,textured material comprises a pattern of raised cross-stitches on eachfingertip and on the thumbtip of said glove, said raised cross-stitchesfurther being placed along a continual inseam of the thumb enclosure,said inseam extending to the wrist portion of said glove.
 7. A medicalor surgical glove according to claim 1, wherein said pattern of raised,textured material comprises a pattern consisting of an expanding swirlpattern, emanating from the palm of the glove and further, having arcscovering portions of the finger enclosures and the thumb enclosure ofsaid glove.
 8. A medical or surgical glove according to claim 1, whereinsaid pattern of raised, textured material comprises a pattern consistingof parallel, symmetrically-spaced lateral line raised segmentsfabricated on the palm, finger enclosures, and thumb enclosure.
 9. Amedical or surgical glove according to claim 1, wherein said pattern ofraised, textured material comprises a zigzag stitch pattern of raised,textured material oriented along the length of each finger enclosure,along the length of the thumb enclosure, and further, including oneraised zigzag stitch pattern on the palm of the glove.
 10. An improvedmedical or surgical glove being fabricated from any of a selection ofmaterials selected from the group consisting of latex, vinyl, andnitrile, said materials of varying thicknesses, and said glove of thetype having four finger enclosures including four fingertip portions, athumb enclosure including a thumbtip portion, a hand portion having apalm surface and a backhand surface, and a wrist portion having aproximal end joining the hand portion and having a distal end comprisingan expandable opening through which the hand of a person may beinserted, wherein the improvement comprises: (a) a pattern of raised,textured material of the same type material as the glove, said patternfabricated at particular locations on the exterior surface of saidglove; (b) a removal tab affixed to the wrist portion of said glove; and(c) said material having been treated with gamma ray radiation, therebyrendering said material of said glove sterilized.
 11. A medical orsurgical glove according to claim 10, wherein said pattern of raised,textured material comprises a wave pattern, said wave pattern located ateach of the four fingertip portions and at the thumbtip portion of saidglove.
 12. A medical or surgical glove according to claim 10, whereinsaid pattern of raised, textured material comprises a bubble tipspattern, said bubble tips pattern located at each of the four fingertipportions and at the thumbtip portion of said glove.
 13. A medical orsurgical glove according to claim 10, wherein said pattern of raised,textured material comprises a cross-sectional stripe pattern whereinsaid cross-sectional stripe pattern further comprises parallel lines ofraised glove material running approximately diagonally to the fingerenclosures, the thumb enclosure, and the palm portion, and further,encompassing the entirety of the inner surface of said glove.
 14. Amedical or surgical glove according to claim 10, wherein said pattern ofraised, textured material comprises a bulls-eye palm pattern, whereinsaid bulls-eye palm pattern comprises a plurality of concentric circlescentered on the palm surface of said glove and further, having fiveemanating radials of raised, textured material extending from theoutermost of said concentric circles to (a) each of the four fingertipsand (b) the thumbtip of said glove, respectively.
 15. A medical orsurgical glove according to claim 10, wherein said pattern of raised,textured material comprises a pattern of raised cross-stitches on eachfingertip and on the thumbtip of said glove, said raised cross-stitchesfurther being placed along a continual inseam of the thumb enclosure,said inseam extending to the wrist portion of said glove.
 16. A medicalor surgical glove according to claim 10, wherein said pattern of raised,textured material comprises a pattern consisting of an expanding swirlpattern, emanating from the palm of the glove and further, having arcscovering portions of the finger enclosures and the thumb enclosure ofsaid glove.
 17. A medical or surgical glove according to claim 10,wherein said pattern of raised, textured material comprises a patternconsisting of parallel, symmetrically-spaced lateral line raisedsegments fabricated on the palm, finger enclosures, and thumb enclosure.18. A medical or surgical glove according to claim 10, wherein saidpattern of raised, textured material comprises a zigzag stitch patternof raised, textured material oriented along the length of each fingerenclosure, along the length of the thumb enclosure, and further,including one raised zigzag stitch pattern on the palm of the glove. 19.An improved medical or surgical glove being fabricated from any of aselection of materials selected from the group consisting of latex,vinyl, and nitrile, said materials of varying thicknesses, and saidglove of the type having four finger enclosures including four fingertipportions, a thumb enclosure including a thumbtip portion, a hand portionhaving a palm surface and a backhand surface, and a wrist portion havinga proximal end joining the hand portion and having a distal endcomprising an expandable opening through which the hand of a person maybe inserted, wherein the improvement comprises: (a) a pattern of raised,textured material of the same type material as the glove, fabricated atparticular locations on the exterior surface of said glove; (b) aremoval tab affixed to the wrist portion of said glove; (c) saidmaterial having been treated with gamma ray radiation, thereby renderingsaid material of said glove sterilized; and (d) an amount of absorbabledusting powder applied to the internal surfaces of said glove.
 20. Amedical or surgical glove according to claim 19, wherein said pattern ofraised, textured material comprises a pattern selected from the group ofpatterns consisting of wave pattern, bubble tips pattern,cross-sectional stripe pattern, bulls-eye pattern, swirl pattern,lateral line pattern, and zigzag pattern.
 21. A medical or surgicalglove as in any one of claims 2 through 9, or any one of claims 11through 20, wherein said gloves fabricated from latex are colored fromany of a first range of color hues, said gloves fabricated from vinylare colored from any of a second range of color hues, and said glovesfabricated from nitrile are colored from any of a third range of colorhues.